Prologue
1850 Late March – A Wednesday Another glorious sunny day. I can’t remember the grass looking this green. Cold in the morning though, with quite a touch of frost. How things have changed since all those wet days throughout the Winter. Old Henry says that the weather has gone mad and that it isn’t right to be this warm in March. He is worried about Jack Frost getting the blossom. He says we may not get any apples again this year. My broad beans seem to be doing well. I am sure they grew a good inch yesterday. I may sow a few more seeds if it remains fine tomorrow. Not many vegetables to eat at present. I still have some carrots in the ground from last year. They don’t seem to be taking any harm. Beetroots all gone. I ventured out today. Really quiet first thing. People seem to be staying in or perhaps they have already left for work. I am worried about old John Reynolds and Ann on the corner. He must be nearly 80 and Ann can’t be far behind him. I don’t like to knock on their door. I expect Vincent and Elizabeth will be looking out for them. Quite a few kids playing in the brook by the bridge. The Lower End gang captured one of the young Turvy girls. Matilda, I think they call her. Lives up by the vicarage. She didn’t seem to mind. I expect they released her in time for supper. Old William and all the rest of the Parrot family were busy at the Wheelwrights. The new wagon for John Freeman, farmer down at Cowleys, is nearing completion. William showed me young Caleb’s coffin. He was quite upset given that it is the second coffin he has made for the Rogers family this month. First Rhoda, only 3, and now Caleb, just turned 5. I expect that David and Sarah are really worried about their other two little ones. Not sure if Patience will last much longer. We had hoped she would see Easter. I told old Henry that I would see him at the Seven Stars reopening Saturday night. Should be quite a few there as everyone is waiting to see what the new publican is like. He doesn’t come from these parts. He may need educating in the ways of Piddington folk. Sources & Inspirations Weather, blossom, seeds, vegetables: Gwith Cottage, corresponding day of the week 2020 |